Weight training machines

• US 9,539,460 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2011
• Issued: 01/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph K. Ellis
• Original Assignee: Joseph K. Ellis
• Inventors: Ellis, Joseph K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly, Jerome W
• Application Number:
  US13/992,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20130324374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,849 Days
• Field of Search: 482/72, 482/104, 482/97, 482/10, 482/99, 482/93
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0094 for active rehabilitation, e.g. slow motion devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0411 Squatting exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00181 comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0615 pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0616 with an adjustable moment A63B21/0617 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0618 moving in a horizontal plane without substantial friction, i.e. using inertial forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/062 including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0728 with means for fixing weights on bars, i.e. fixing olympic discs or bumper plates on bar-bells or dumb-bells
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/075 with variable weights , e.g. weight systems with weight selecting means for bar-bells or dumb-bells
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/078 Devices for bench press exercises , e.g. supports, guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/155 Cam-shaped pulleys or other non-uniform pulleys, e.g. conical
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/1609 for anchoring on a chair chairs with exercising means A47C9/002
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4031 with parts of the bench moving against a resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4033 Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4034 for operation by feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 : Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0228 : Sitting on the buttocks
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 : Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 : Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03575 : Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 : involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 : primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 : Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 : Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements

Abstract

A weight training machine for allowing at least two of a user'"'"'s muscle groups to push or pull simultaneously in a synchronized and unified fashion, having at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism; a first actuating means operatively connected to the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism for allowing actuation of the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism by a first of the user'"'"'s muscle groups, and a second actuating means operatively connected to the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism for allowing actuation of the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism by a second of the user'"'"'s muscle groups, wherein actuation of both the first actuating means and the second actuation means simultaneously acts upon and or resists against the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism. One embodiment is an exercise machine and a drive or actuating mechanism with a lever and fulcrum configuration. The fulcrum has an attached handle, arm, lever or platform means, bearings for operatively cooperating with an axle and/or the lever, and attachment means for additional actuating member or members being operatively connected to the axle. The lever has a means for contact with the user and a weight means for providing a counterweight to the weight of the user, as well as attachment means for operatively connecting with the fulcrum and/or axle. The actuating member or members are attached to the fulcrum, preferably pivotally, and comprise linkages to the axle and/or lever so as to be able to transfer force from the user to the lever. Other embodiments include weight training machines having a moment arm weight, weight stack, or weight plate weight resistance mechanism for creating a weight resistance or weight load.

Claims

1. A weight training machine for allowing a user to simultaneously operate at least two separate actuating means to impart force or weight resistance to at least two separate muscle groups of the user'"'"'s body in a synchronized and unified fashion, comprising:

a) at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism operatively connected to a common axle;

b) a first actuating means operatively connected to the common axle for allowing actuation of the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism by a first muscle group of the user'"'"'s body; and

c) a second actuating means operatively connected to the common axle for allowing actuation of the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism by a second muscle group of the user'"'"'s body,

wherein actuation of both the first actuating means and the second actuation means simultaneously acts upon and or resists against the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism.

2. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two actuating means are movable between a first at rest position and a second fully extended position and can be maintained at any position between the first at rest position and the second fully extended position.

3. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two actuating means are operatively connected to the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism, wherein moving at least one of the at least two actuating means actuates the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism.

4. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein moving the at least two actuating means actuates the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism.

5. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the at least two actuating means is actuated by different exercise motions.

6. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first actuating means and the second actuating means are operatively connected to each other such that actuation of the first actuating means actuates the second actuating means, and actuation of the second actuating means actuates the first actuating means.

7. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism comprises a weight stack.

8. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism comprises weight plates.

9. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism comprises a spring.

10. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic piston.

11. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism is a moment arm weight resistance mechanism comprising:

a) a frame;

b) a cantilevered moment arm pivotally attached to the frame at a pivot point;

c) an adjustable weight attached to the moment arm; and

d) a weight adjusting drive for adjusting the adjustable weight along the moment arm,

wherein the weight on the moment arm creates a moment about the pivot point,

wherein the degree of weight resistance can be controlled by a user by movement of the adjustable weight along the moment arm, and

wherein the moment arm weight resistance mechanism is variable for providing increased or decreased amounts of weight resistance and can be varied by a user during an exercise motion.

12. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a cam, wherein:

a) the cam is secured to the moment arm coaxially with the pivot point;

b) the actuating means is operatively connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism via the cam; and

c) moving the actuating means causes the pivoting of the cam about the pivot point thereby actuating the moment arm weight resistance mechanism.

13. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a cable attachment means, wherein:

a) the cable attachment means is secured on an end of the moment arm distal from the pivot point;

b) the actuating means is operatively connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism via the cable attachment means; and

c) moving the actuating means causes the pivoting of the moment arm about the pivot point thereby actuating the moment arm weight resistance mechanism.

14. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a bar linkage mechanism, wherein:

a) the actuating means is operatively connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism via the bar linkage mechanism; and

b) moving the actuating means causes the pivoting of the moment arm about the pivot point thereby actuating the moment arm weight resistance mechanism.

15. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a direct connection between the actuating means and the moment arm weight resistance mechanism, wherein:

a) the actuating means is rigidly connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism; and

b) moving the actuating means causes the pivoting of the moment arm about the pivot point thereby actuating the moment arm weight resistance mechanism.

16. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the adjustable weight and the weight adjusting drive are supported on the moment arm weight resistance mechanism and the weight adjusting drive is operatively attached to the adjustable weight.

17. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the actuating means is operatively connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism proximal to the pivot point.

18. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the actuating means is operatively connected to the moment arm weight resistance mechanism distal from the pivot point.

19. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating means cooperate with each other in a synchronized and unified manner whereby simultaneous actuation of either of the actuating means by two of the at least two separate muscle groups will concurrently cause the actuation of the other of the actuating means and movement of the common axle and the at least one common or counter weight resistance mechanism.

20. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first actuating means allows a user to engage the first muscle group and the second actuating means allows a user to engage the second muscle group simultaneously against the common axle and the at least one common counter or weight resistance means.

21. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first muscle group is located on a user'"'"'s upper extremities and the second muscle group is located on a user'"'"'s lower extremities.

22. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first muscle group is located on a user'"'"'s upper extremities and the second muscle group is located on a user'"'"'s torso.

23. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first muscle group is located on a user'"'"'s lower extremities and the second muscle group is located on a user'"'"'s torso.

24. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first muscle group is located on a user'"'"'s upper extremities and the second muscle group is located on a user'"'"'s buttocks.

25. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 20, wherein at least one of the actuating means is operatively connected to the common axle and to the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism via a pivoting rigid levers mechanism comprising at least two pivoting rigid levers.

26. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 20, wherein at least one of the actuating means is directly and rigidly connected to the common axle and to the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism.

27. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 26, wherein movement of any of the actuating means engages the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism.

28. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the actuating means is operatively connected to the common axle and to the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism via a flexible member.

29. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 28, wherein movement of any of the actuating means engages the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism.

30. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the common axle is rigidly connected to the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism.

31. The weight training machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at rest starting position of at least one of the actuating means is adjustable to accommodate a user'"'"'s size and preference for range of motion.